![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5748.jpg)
Grab here
The tram has 3 sections; this is a big mountain at 3343m, just shy of 11,000ft. This was also, I believe, the first time I've ridden a tram during the summertime. Removing the anticipation of ripping turns on my snowboard gave me extra time to reflect on just what an engineering marvel it is to install a people-carrier in the side of a mountain...
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5767.jpg)
Off it goes
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5785.jpg)
Wheelhouse
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5786.jpg)
View north to Piz Boe (3152m)
More impressive than the view from the top (stunning) is the character of the rock itself. Billowing up in soft-looking marshmallow blocks from thousands of feet below, it adds to the grandeur in a way that's quite compelling.
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5705.jpg)
Snowcat for scale
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5727.jpg)
Snowcat detail
Late in August, the giant's glaciers still had snow that would be skiable in a pinch, but also turned the peak into a big icebox. Pretty amazing the effect a big chunk of ice can have on the temperature up there during the summer.
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5726.jpg)
Dirty snow
The structure at the top was also home to a shrine to Madonna, replete with photos of the Pope's visit etc. Carved out of solid rock and insulated by ice, calling it chilly doesn't do it justice.
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5717.jpg)
Grotta della Madonna
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5760.jpg)
Murphy ignores the view for a reading break
Unfortunately, we had arrived a little late in the day and were in danger of missing the last tram down if we screwed around too much. Woulda taken a while to walk down...
![](http://1l1t.com/photos/121005_marmolada/_ED_5789.jpg)
Long zipline down!
This post was actually a little bit out of order. I've been avoiding writing the first hiking one from the Dolomites as it's a stitch more involved, and, frankly, I've been freakin' busy. It's next though...
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2 comments:
Great shot of the "snowcat to scale"! That piece of machinery looks so diminutive on the peak.
Thanks dude!
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